The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ralph Frederick Philips, Jr. (MCSN: 1423932), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 January 1966, Sergeant Philips was assigned as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of four amphibian tractors transporting a group of Vietnamese refugees from Dong Ding Village up the Ca De Song River. With its load of villagers, their food and personal belongings, the Marines providing security, the tractor was about fifty meters from the river bank when it struck a land mine. The violent explosion knocked those riding atop it from the vehicle, and literally lifted Sergeant Philips through a hatch and onto the ground. Reacting swiftly when flames erupted, he warned others to move away and unhesitatingly climbed into the vehicle to aid those trapped inside. Although the bow ramp would open only two or three feet, he persistently pushed the Vietnamese through the gap until the intense heat from the fire raging in the hold forced him to retreat. While suffering from severe burns on the face and hands, he single-handedly saved at least ten persons from certain death, greatly risking his own life in the flames and imminent danger of explosion. By his heroic concern for the welfare of others and superb presence of mind in the face of grave peril, Sergeant Philips upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.